Healthcare

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 175: REQUESTING HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE STATE TO ADHERE TO AND BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR ISSUING TIMELY REIMBURSEMENTS OF HEALTH CARE CLAIMS PURSUANT TO THE STATE'S CLEAN CLAIMS STATUTE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks health maintenance organizations in Hawaii to follow the state's Clean Claims Statute, which requires them to pay uncontested health care claims within 30 days or 15 days for electronic submissions. The resolution highlights that delayed payments can harm medical practices and patients, particularly in rural and underserved areas, and notes that current enforcement by the Insurance Division appears inconsistent. It requests that HMOs be held accountable for timely reimbursements and directs copies of the resolution to state officials including the Insurance Commissioner and Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates timely reimbursement of healthcare claims to protect medical practices and patients, especially in underserved areas, strengthening healthcare access and financial stability.90% confidence

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passed both · Hawaii · House Apr 23, 2026

HCR 118: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO STRENGTHEN MENSTRUAL HEALTH EDUCATION INITIATIVES AND TO ADOPT A COMPREHENSIVE MENSTRUAL CYCLE CURRICULUM.

This bill urges the Hawaii Department of Education to strengthen menstrual health education in public schools and adopt a comprehensive curriculum covering menstrual cycles. It directly affects students, educators, and school administrators by recommending specific educational standards and resources. The resolution outlines five key requirements including age-appropriate content from third through twelfth grade, culturally responsive teaching methods, and the inclusion of hygiene, stigma reduction, and health information. It also calls for libraries to stock age-appropriate books and for teachers to use anatomically correct diagrams when teaching hygiene. The bill emphasizes creating an inclusive, positive learning environment that addresses menstrual dignity through privacy, inclusivity, access, and education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly urges strengthening menstrual health education and adopting comprehensive curriculum, directly expanding educational content and student health education programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens menstrual health education in schools, promoting health awareness and reducing stigma, which supports public health initiatives and patient education.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum Student Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 59: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR'S SENIOR ADVISOR FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM TO FORMULATE A PLAN TO INCREASE ACCESS TO THE HAWAII STATE HOSPITAL FOR CERTAIN MENTALLY ILL- CRIMINAL DEFENDANTS.

This Senate Resolution asks the Governor's Senior Advisor for Mental Health and the Justice System to create a plan for increasing bed availability at the Hawaii State Hospital for mentally ill criminal defendants and individuals recently released from the facility. The request stems from concerns that the hospital is currently at full capacity, with most patients being evaluated for fitness to stand trial, which limits options for those needing treatment within the criminal justice system. The resolution directs the advisor to develop a strategy for creating shelter placements for these specific populations and to submit a report with findings and potential new legislation to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure does not authorize funding or mandate immediate policy changes but serves as a formal request for planning and coordination among state agencies.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to increase access to mental health treatment for criminal defendants, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through improved care in the justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to increase access to mental health treatment at Hawaii State Hospital for criminal defendants, addressing capacity issues and improving healthcare service availability.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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passed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SR 24: URGING MAUI HEALTH SYSTEM TO COLLABORATE WITH STAKEHOLDERS TO ESTABLISH A FULL-TIME MEDICAL RESIDENCY PROGRAM ON THE ISLAND OF MAUI.

This Senate Resolution urges Maui Health to work with state and medical stakeholders to create a full-time medical residency program on Maui, aiming to address the island's critical shortage of physicians. The bill calls for leveraging federal Rural Health Transformation Program funding and other resources to support the program's establishment and long-term sustainability. It specifically requests collaboration with the John A. Burns School of Medicine, federally qualified health centers, and other partners while requiring Maui Health to submit a progress report to the Legislature by early 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill advocates for establishing medical residency programs to address physician shortages, expanding healthcare access and workforce capacity.95% confidence

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passed both · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 182: REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO ENGAGE WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND OTHER FEDERAL AND MILITARY PARTNERS TO EXPLORE ESTABLISHING A MILITARY-CIVILIAN TRAUMA PARTNERSHIP TO STRENGTHEN THE HAWAII TRAUMA SYSTEM.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution asks state officials to work with the U.S. Department of Defense and military partners to explore creating a partnership between military and civilian trauma systems in Hawaii. The bill specifically requests that the Governor and Department of Health evaluate opportunities for Tripier Army Medical Center to serve as a receiving trauma center for civilian patients, investigate funding options for uncompensated care, and consider legislative changes to allow reimbursement for civilian trauma services at military facilities. Additionally, the resolution seeks to develop tele-trauma consultation capabilities to help rural hospitals and improve overall trauma care access across the state. The Department of Health is required to submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by the beginning of the 2027 session.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill seeks to strengthen Hawaii's trauma system by creating military-civilian partnerships and improving trauma care access through Tripler Army Medical Center.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill seeks to strengthen military-civilian trauma partnership and improve access to trauma care at Tripler Army Medical Center for veterans and civilians.85% confidence

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in committee · Hawaii · House Mar 18, 2026

HR 159: URGING THE STATE AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO RECOGNIZE AND ADDRESS THE INEQUITABLE LOCATION OF MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, CLEAN AND SOBER HOMES, HOMELESS SHELTERS, AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE LIVING HOMES ACROSS THE ISLAND OF OAHU.

This bill is a non-binding resolution that asks state and local leaders to acknowledge and fix the uneven distribution of mental health facilities, sober homes, homeless shelters, and supportive living homes across Oahu. It specifically highlights the concentration of these services along the Waianae coast and urges officials to consider factors like proximity to schools, transparency, insurance, and community input when planning future placements. The resolution directs government agencies and community partners to consult on these issues but does not mandate any specific policy changes or funding.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill addresses mental health facility distribution inequities and urges improvements in access to mental health services and supportive living homes.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill addresses equitable distribution of homeless shelters and supportive living homes, directly supporting housing access and addressing homelessness concerns.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Homelessness

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passed both · Hawaii · House May 8, 2026

HCR 105: REQUESTING THE CENTER FOR NURSING TO COMPILE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF RECOMMENDED SAFE PATIENT STAFFING STRATEGIES AND RATIOS FOR ALL NURSING SPECIALTIES AND SUBSPECIALTIES ACROSS ALL HEALTH CARE SETTINGS, AND TO MAINTAIN A REPOSITORY FOR THIS INFORMATION.

This bill requests the Hawaii State Center for Nursing to compile and maintain a public list of recommended safe patient staffing ratios for all nursing specialties across various healthcare settings. The measure aims to address concerns about nurse workload and patient safety by gathering existing standards from other states and industry recommendations rather than setting new legal requirements. Healthcare facilities are urged to consider these compiled ratios when determining staffing levels, and the information will be made publicly available before the 2027 legislative session. The resolution focuses on creating a centralized resource to inform decision-making by providers, policymakers, and the public about staffing standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes patient safety by establishing recommended nursing staffing ratios, which improves healthcare quality and protects patient rights.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill promotes nurse staffing safety standards, protecting worker well-being and patient care through recommended ratios rather than restrictive mandates.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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signed · Hawaii · Senate May 12, 2026

SCR 50: ESTABLISHING THE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN WORKING GROUP TO DESIGN AND RECOMMEND A BASIC, AFFORDABLE HAWAII HEALTH PLAN AVAILABLE TO EVERY RESIDENT OF THE STATE.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution establishes the Hawaii Health Plan Working Group to design and recommend a basic, affordable health plan available to every resident of the state. The working group will include representatives from the legislature, governor's office, insurance commissioner, state health planning agency, Hawaii Medical Service Association, and Kaiser Permanente. The group is tasked with developing a plan to address potential increases in uninsured residents due to changes in federal health insurance subsidies and Medicaid work requirements, with a report due to the Legislature by late 2026. The working group will cease to exist on June 30, 2027, after submitting its final recommendations and any proposed legislation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes working group to design affordable health plan for every resident, expanding coverage and access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid

in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SCR 44: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND OFFICE OF WELLNESS AND RESILIENCE TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE PEER COUNSELOR PROGRAM TO ADDRESS YOUTH LONELINESS AND SOCIAL DISCONNECTION IN HAWAII'S SCHOOLS.

This Senate Concurrent Resolution urges state agencies to create a statewide peer counselor program for high school students to address loneliness and social disconnection. The bill asks the Department of Education, Department of Health, and Office of Wellness and Resilience to work together to develop a program that trains students in active listening, ethical boundaries, and culturally responsive practices. It emphasizes providing standardized training with clear referral pathways to licensed mental health professionals while prioritizing face-to-face peer relationships and culturally appropriate approaches. The resolution also requests the Hawaii State Youth Commission to help design and evaluate the program to ensure it meets student needs and maintains cultural responsiveness.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes statewide peer counselor program to address youth loneliness in schools, enhancing student support services and mental health resources within educational institutions.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes peer counselor program to address youth mental health and social disconnection, expanding mental health services in schools.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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in committee · Hawaii · Senate Mar 19, 2026

SR 42: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IN CONSULTATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO CONDUCT A STUDY ON THE COST AND BENEFITS OF HIRING MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS FOR EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL AND OF DISTRIBUTING GUIDELINES ON TELEHEALTH SAFE SPACES.

This Senate Resolution asks Hawaii's Department of Education to work with the Department of Health to study the costs and benefits of hiring mental health professionals for every public school, with staffing ratios of one professional per 250 students or one per smaller school. The study will also examine guidelines for creating safe, quiet spaces on school campuses where students can access telehealth services during regular school hours. The resolution directs the Department of Education to complete this study and submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature by early 2027. This measure is a Senate Resolution, which means it expresses the Senate's position rather than creating immediate law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill promotes mental health support in schools by studying hiring professionals and creating safe telehealth spaces, enhancing student well-being and educational environment.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill promotes mental health services in schools by studying hiring professionals and telehealth access, expanding healthcare availability for students.85% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

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